Emir: Qatar to hold Shura Council election 'soon'

Earlier this week, the Emir appointed four women to serve as members of the Shura Council for the first time in the country's history.

Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani told the Shura Council, the upper house of parliament, that his government had nonetheless put in place contingency plans as he expected the bitter political dispute to drag on, AFP reports.

Speaking at the Shura Council session, Sheikh Tamim said: "The government is now preparing for the Shura Council elections", adding that "the necessary legislative tools will be presented in 2018 so that the elections are fair".

The blockading countries severed ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of supporting "terrorism" and seeking close ties with Iran.

Qatar's emir has proclaimed that his country is "better off" without the Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and UAE that imposed a boycott against Doha this year.

Tamim, who assumed office in 2013 after his father stepped down, also said his government was now working on the instruments needed for elections, which he said would be ready in 2018.

In his speech, Tamim also said his government was focusing on completing strategic projects to help the country cope with the sanctions imposed by its neighbours, including ports, water and food security, and to encourage investments.

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